Week in Review: Man Dies in St. James Accident; Sinkhole in Smithtown

Hauppauge Man Dies After Hitting Garbage Truck in St. James

A Hauppauge driver was killed Wednesday morning in a St. James accident. 

According to Suffolk County Police, Jaime Rodriguez, 25, of Hauppauge, crossed into the westbound lanes while driving eastbound on Route 25 near Huber Place in a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee when he collided with a 2004 Mack garbage truck. The accident occurred at roughly 2 a.m.

PHOTO: Sinkhole Swallows Up SUV

A giant sinkhole that swallowed up an SUV  has closed a portion of roadway in Smithtown early Tuesday morning.

According to police, a 911 call was received indicating that an SUV had driven into the sinkhole. Police said the Suffolk County Water Authority is working on the problem.  Mount Pleasant Road remians closed in both directions between Cambridge Road and Daisy Lane in Smithtown.

Water Authority Says Broken Water Main Causes Sinkhole [PHOTOS]

A broken water main caused the sinkhole on Mount Pleasant Road near Cambridge Drive in Smithtown on Tuesday morning, Suffolk County Water Authority workers at the scene confirmed.

Workers are finishing up the paving at the sinkhole that closed Mount Pleasant Road at Cambridge Drive early Tuesday morning. The intersection is expected to be open by Thursday evening, according to workers at the scene. No exact time for the road to re-open has been given.

Former Pet Store Up For Rent [Empty in Smithtown]

After closing following a fire in July of last year, Pick of the Litter on Smithtown's Main Street will not re-open, and the location is now up for rent.

There are many places to grab a slice of pizza, but where could you choose from 32 different specialty slices? One place you could experience this is Buona Sera, and if you dine at the restaurant frequently you'e most likely been served by one of the owners, Neil Russo.

Patch readers, local business owners and other business professionals have offered their opinions on cash-for-gold businesses popping up in Smithtown, often critical of the business. Suraj Kumar, owner of Long Island Gold Mine on West Main Street, aims to make you see his business as legitimate and an asset to the community. Check out the video and get to meet Kumar and see what he does as the owner on a daily basis.

Snap Fitness Exits Branch Shopping Plaza [Empty in Smithtown]

When LA Fitness announced it would be coming to Smithtown in the same shopping center as Snap Fitness, many locals questioned why the gym would move in where one already exists.

Now only LA Fitness remains.

Police: 2 Nesconset Landscape Companies Have Same-Day Break-Ins

Suffolk County Police are investigating break-ins and damages at two Nesconset landscaping companies on the same road that occurred on the same day.

Rescue Units Called to Scene of Overturned Car on Landing Avenue

Suffolk County Police responded to a call of an overturned car in Smithtown on Monday morning.

According to police, officers responded to a call at 11:20 a.m. of a car that flipped over and collided with a tree at the intersection of Landing Avenue and Oakside Drive. There were no reported injuries initially but rescue units were called to the scene upon police arrival.